IPC has promoted the publisher of Marie Claire to managing director of its SouthBank division, overseeing its monthly women's magazines.

Jackie Newcombe will join the IPC board when she takes up the new post in January, managing In Style, Woman & Home and Wallpaper as well as Marie Claire. She replaces Sandy Whetton, who quit last week after just 18 months in the job.

Ms Newcombe has been publishing director of Marie Claire for the past two years, and oversaw last year's successful relaunch of the magazine

"It is a real thrill for me to have been asked to lead the team at this very exciting time for IPC. With Time Warner and Time Inc.'s backing, we are very much on the front foot and I'm looking forward to developing our portfolio of titles and to growing the business," she said.

"I'm also delighted that I will be continuing to work with the Marie Claire team so that we can build on the success we've achieved to-date."

Ms Newcombe began her publishing career in 1981 as a graduate trainee with IPC. She returned to the group two years ago after a stint in the contract publishing industry to head up Marie Claire, which was struggling in an increasingly competitive women's market.

Last year she oversaw the relaunch of Marie Claire in a new smaller format, which helped push sales up 6.6% year on year to 384,502.